I started out to share my samples of story mapping with you until I discovered 3 great sources online:
1. www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizer/storymap has 40 graphic organizers, cloze activities, research formats, rubrics, etc. The overviews are downloadable but the site is member-supported ($20/year) and may be worth the investment if you use their styles of organization.
2. http://www.hishelpinschool.com/learning/storymap.html has a detailed story organizer with spaces for character, plot, setting, conclusion and main idea. It is free and can be downloaded.
3. www.msu.edu/course/cep/886/Reading%20Comprehension/4Learn has a group story mapping plan for Grades 1-5. It’s free and downloadable.
A year ’round hint: use mapping for day-to-day organizing of information. Lay out summer trip ideas with details, ways to spend allowance (with pros and cons) or lists of potential handmade crafts with supply lists. The more you use it, the easier it becomes to think this way. Enjoy! Let me know how it works when you try mapping beyond a story.